Denton Woman Sentenced to Prison For Drug Distribution

Posted On: March 23, 2018

Patricia Ann Barde was convicted, following a trial on December 12, 2017, by Queen Anne’s County Circuit Court Judge Thomas G. Ross of Distribution of Oxycodone, Possession with the Intent to Distribute Oxycodone, Conspiracy to Distribute Oxycodone, and Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Distribute Oxycodone. The case was prosecuted by Deputy State’s Attorney Michael “Mick” Cuches.

The case stemmed from an undercover narcotics investigation into the illegal distribution of controlled dangerous substances. On December November 17, 2016 Patricia Barde texted with an, unknown to her, undercover Maryland State Trooper. During this text message conversation Ms. Barde arranged to sell the Trooper five and a half Oxycodone pills for Fifty Dollars ($50.00). Ms. Barde, who lives in Caroline County, suggested the drug deal to occur in Queen Anne’s County at the Royal farms store located at 32303 Queen Anne Highway in Queen Anne. Later that day, and at that location, Ms. Barde sold the undercover 5 ½ oxycodone pills for the stated amount.

Later, Ms. Barde arranged for another drug deal with the undercover Trooper, this time with her ex-husband, Ronald Barde, providing the drugs to the undercover Trooper on December 6, 2016 at the same Royal Farms store. Ms. Barde later sold to the undercover Trooper in Caroline County, and a court authorized search and seizure warrant was executed by the Caroline County Drug Task Force on her residence in Caroline County. Ms. Barde was charged with the offenses that occurred in Caroline County by the Caroline County State’s Attorney’s Office. Ms. Barde was charged in Queen Anne’s County for her drug deals on November 17 and December 6 with four (4) offenses: Distribution and Possession with the intent to distribute Oxycodone on November 17, 2016, and Conspiracy with her ex-husband to Distribute and Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Oxycodone on December 6, 2016. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of twenty (20) years in prison.

Trial occurred on December 12, 2017 in the Circuit Court for Queen Anne’s County. Deputy State’s Attorney Cuches secured a conviction on all counts. Sentencing was held on March 6, 2018 at which time Patricia Barde was sentenced to 20 years in the Division of Correction, with 16 years suspended. Barde will serve 4 years in prison and upon release will be on supervised probation.